Anthony Joshua targets July return to the ring
Anthony Joshua has set his sights on returning to the ring in July, according to promoter Eddie Hearn, as the former heavyweight world champion continues his recovery from a devastating car accident, reports BritPanorama.
The collision near Lagos in December resulted in the deaths of two members of Joshua’s inner circle: his long-serving strength coach Sina Ghami and personal trainer Latif “Latz” Ayodele. This tragedy occurred less than a fortnight after his sixth-round knockout victory over Jake Paul in Miami, casting doubt on Joshua’s future in boxing.
Hearn informed BoxingScene that the initial fight schedule had been abandoned entirely. “Originally, the plan with AJ was for him to fight in March and then fight Tyson Fury in August. That’s not happening. He’s not fighting Tyson Fury next,” Hearn explained. Joshua remains unable to start training preparations.
Despite a disrupted timetable, Hearn expressed optimism about Joshua’s return. He mentioned that although Joshua is currently resting, he is planning to reintegrate him into the sport by targeting July for his comeback. “So, I’m planning, but he’s just resting and preparing,” Hearn noted, adding that Joshua could return to training in the coming weeks.
While the immediate prospect of a showdown with Fury has been ruled out, Hearn has not entirely closed the door on the matchup. “Every fight’s dangerous coming off what he has come off,” he remarked, suggesting that future discussions are still on the table.
The promoter indicated that a meeting between Joshua and Fury may happen later, perhaps towards the end of the year or early 2027. Fury is scheduled to face knockout specialist Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 11. Fury acknowledged that news of Joshua’s accident influenced his decision to return to the ring after his previous retirement.
“The biggest turning point in this comeback for me was the tragedy that happened with Anthony Joshua,” Fury stated, reflecting on how such events can impact perspectives on life and career.
This situation serves as a reminder of the intertwined nature of personal and professional lives in sport, as athletes grapple with the weight of loss while striving to reclaim their positions in the competitive arena. The path back to the ring is fraught with challenges, making Joshua’s journey one to watch closely in the coming months.
